B183

May 25^th 2018

            Just finishing my assignment for my interview plans got me thinking about the mentors I have in my life and who else I would like to be a mentor in my life. There are a few people who I see as true inspirations but for some reason I have never reached out to them. There are a few people who I have reached out to in the past but haven’t kept up with. I think that I need to change this. Because of where I want to go with my life I need many connections especially within the education and entrepreneurial world.

            This week has been crazy for me but also rewarding. Knowing what I want with my life and where I want to be in a few years I have to be strictly dedicated to my work and education. I’m 18 years old and already a sophomore in college which seems crazy to me. I’ve been learning how to juggle relationships, education, religion, work and fun, and I’ve frankly felt as if I’ve been failing miserably. I’ve taken on a lot and am being pushed to my limit. But this class has helped me see things from a different view. Entrepreneurs need to know how to work hard under pressure and at the limit of their capacity. There has been thing after thing that I thought might push me over the edge. But I received an email from my business professor that seemed to lighten my mood just enough for me to get the courage to push through again. I’ve worked hard to be where I am and often feel as if no one sees the work I put in or the things that I give up. I know that my professor doesn’t know exactly what things in my life I’ve given up to be where I am, but just knowing that someone appreciates the work means a lot.

The things I learn in the class are important to me and I’ve already begun to put them into practice. I keep thinking about the Acton Hero of this week who said that being positive is what got him through. We need to be positive in our ventures and look for the things that are going right. Life is hard, we’ve seen that in the lives of those we’ve read about and within our own lives. But if we keep a positive and forward outlook on life things tend to work out. I haven’t been sure how I was going to afford college but recently received a scholarship and reading and listening to everything from this class about budgeting has pushed me to look more closely at my own financial situation. I’ve learned to trust my gut in going for the things I want even when it seems impossible to attain it. Things have always worked out when I follow what I know to be right. I was going to say I don’t know how but I do. God is directing my path and he knows it better then I do.

I’ve started to realize that being an entrepreneur truly is what I want to do with my life. I don’t want to open franchises or start up a bunch of businesses. But I do want to do something that no one has yet succeeded in doing. I want to start a school and every time I tell someone that they ask if I want to be the principal of a school and I’ve realized that I don’t. I want to orchestrate the school from the point of view of an entrepreneur. I plan on finding people who can fill the roles in the school that I cannot. I have a dream and a vision and I plan to see it through to fruition but I do not plan on doing it alone. That is what I am beginning to see being an entrepreneur as, gathering a team of people together who can accomplish what you alone cannot.

Update on my $100 challenge project. I haven’t made much progress this week but plan on looking at materials next week and figuring out a design.

B283

May 5^th 2018

This week has been another incredible week of learning and growing. I’ve always been interested in businesses and how and why they run. But I’ve had little experience seeing the success of a start up. My grandmother started many businesses over the years when I was younger and all of them failed pretty miserably. Now that I’m learning these things about entrepreneurship it makes me wonder if there were flaws in her business plans that could have been a simple fix. The case studies that we’ve read over have proved that sometimes its not the idea that’s bad just the times, investors or simply the lack of a good business plan.

            And this is where I fall short. I have a great idea that I know will be successful if run properly. I’ve tried making business plans and laying out strategies for how to go about creating my school and it just never quite makes sense on paper. Or it looks outrageous and impossible. However, I strongly believe that entrepreneurs are the people who make the seemingly impossible possible and that is exactly what I plan to do with my school. If I’ve learned anything from this class and the others that I’ve taken is that if you truly want to make something successful you let nothing stand in your way, not even failure. I’m not afraid to fail, I’m afraid that I’ll quite trying after or even before I do. I wont stand for that. I am passionate about this and I truly believe in it. I will put everything I have into fighting for this dream of mine.

            Now Lucifer’s Latches are a whole new battle. Part of me thinks this is a brilliant idea and another part of me thinks that I’m ridiculous in thinking people will be interested simply because I know I would never buy such a product. However, though I have my doubts I am proceeding with my little business venture and have begun to create a business plan. Turns out its not just my big dream that I struggle creating a plan for, I can see the end result of my business but breaking it down into strategies and steps is a big more of a dilemma for me.

B283

May 12^th 2018

           

            This week has been eye opening not only in this class but combining all that I have learned. Just in the last two assignments that I’ve done today I’ve started to look inward about my own values and what things I see as important when it comes to business. I have some pretty ambitious goals and sometimes they look a little to big from where I’m sitting as a sophomore in college. I’m 18 years old and sometimes feel as if I shouldn’t have what I want to do with my life all figured out. But I do know what I want to do with my life and these classes are what are getting me there. I’m excited to see where it all takes me and how my vision forms and takes shape in reality.

            Update on my $100 Challenge, I’ve decided to do Lucifer’s Latches as my product. I’ve begun brainstorming with some friends and family on how I could make them and what materials I could possible use. I have also talked with a friend who is into sewing and the like and he has promised to help me design my product. Things are moving forward and I’ve still no idea how it will workout but I’m going for it.

B283

May 5^th 2018

            It’s the end of the 2^nd week of my 3^rd semester in college. I’m 18 years old and a sophomore at BYUI, which seems absolutely crazy to me. I’m already on the path I’ve always wanted to be on and living life they way I think I’m supposed to. I’m taking an online business class this semester and am supposed to make a business plan for a small $100 challenge to be done this semester as well as a big dream business plan. I’m pretty sure I already know what I want to do with for both. Though they may change a little.

            For my $100 challenge I would like to use an idea inspired by one of my Psych professors. The product will be called Lucifers’ Latches. Their use will be to uphold the honor code in allowing students to have a removable back strap for their flip flops and Jesus sandals. It solves the issue of students wearing footwear that is against the honor code but also allows students to wear the shoes they want.

            Anyway, it’s still in the brainstorming state. We shall see where it goes. This journal is a place where I will be recording my progress on this project and my entrepreneurial journey in general. I will be writing about the things that I learn this semester and the thoughts and inspirations I have that apply to becoming a successful entrepreneur.

            On that note, one thing that I’ve been thinking about all week came from a business class assignment. I had to create something of a bucket list. After making this bucket list I was listening to a song that said, “When was the last time you did something for the first time?” As I thought about my bucket list and what things I have done of late for the first time I decided to make a new list, a “Never Have I Ever…” list. I want to live so that I do the things I want not just what is expected or comfortable. This semester I hope to do things that I’ve never done and reach a new level of growth.

            Everyday do something you’ve never done, or something that pushes your limits. Every year go some place you’ve never been. You’ll be amazed when you begin to think of it of all the things you’ve never done. Both in the big and the small things. Life is to short to live a monotonous life full of the boring and routine. Live with passion and do things with all the excitement of your being. Make it a point to say heck yes to the things you want and Hell no to the things that bring no passion. This is how I’m going to live.